Damms named Owl Star

Kelsey Damms, library associate for public services at Mississippi University for Women’s Fant Memorial Library, is the recipient of the Owl Star award for the third quarter.

“To win the Owl Star award is a great honor. It was a big surprise for me, and it makes me feel appreciated,” Damms said.

The Owl Star is a quarterly award presented by The W’s Staff Council to recognize staff members who go above and beyond in their position.

“We accept quarterly nominations from faculty, staff and students. The quarterly winners have the chance to be selected as our yearly winner that is announced at our annual Staff Recognition Lunch meeting in December. The winners are chosen by the Owl Star Committee which consist of five members. We have a rubric that is used to determine the winner of that specific quarter,” said Tequila McCoy, student support specialist.

The quarterly winners recieve $250, and the yearly winner takes home $500.

Damms’ connection to The W spans years, and it was what drew her to the university for work.

“I actually started working at the library as a student worker my junior year. After graduating in May 2021 with a bachelor’s in psychology, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I was able to continue working at the library over the summer when a staff position opened up. My sister, Rachael, was the one to convince me to apply,” Damms said.

Now, she is in her third year as a full-time employee and she still loves The W as much as she did as a student.

“My favorite thing about The W is the sense of community. I have felt welcomed since first arriving to campus as a freshman, and it’s been my second home for years. Also, I love all my coworkers and the work environment we curated together,” Damms said.